Artist in Long-Distance Relationship Illustrates First Time Meeting His Girlfriend in Real Life

Italian digital artist Simone “Simz” Ferriero met and fell in love with his Toronto-based girlfriend Krisi online. The couple started to chat regularly after Krisi saw Ferriero on the streaming platform, Twitch. Soon after they began a long distance relationship, and as their love blossomed, so did their desire to meet in real life. Ferriero decided to take the plunge and book an intercontinental flight to Canada to stay with Krisi for two weeks in December 2017. From the nerve-racking plane journey, and their first kiss at the airport, Ferriero illustrated the couple’s adorable moments and published the drawings in a Facebook album series called The first time we met.

“I had a lot of stress while traveling alone,” said Ferriero. “But I was very determined.” His charming visual diary illustrates the first time the 5’6 artist set eyes on his 5’9 girlfriend, and their time together exploring the sites of Toronto. Having loved drawing ever since he was a child, Ferriero decided to study at the Academy of Fine Arts during his twenties. “After graduation, I hopped around doing a few jobs here and there for a few of startup companies as a graphic designer for a while, but then I decided to embrace the path of a full-time freelancer.”

Since publishing his heart-warming illustrations, the artist has received new-found attention and support online. Delighted, Ferriero wrote on Instagram: “I just want to say thank you, my hope has always been to inspire people with my art, and you make me feel like i did it.” The couple have already planned their next meet-up—Krisi will visit Ferrireo in Italy in May.